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Tag Archives: child development

Preventing the Phone-Based Childhood: Attention Preschool Parents

Preschool aged child using tablet. Photo by Merrily Pierce

Though it seems little kids everywhere are on hand-held screens, scientists are just catching up with effects that digital devices have on growing minds.

A new study adds to increasing concerns for preschool parents.

Turns out that mobile device use can interfere with how preschool-aged children learn to manage their emotions. The more time on screens, the more a child tends to struggle with anger and frustration.    

“What we seem to be observing is the emergence possibly of a vicious cycle over time.”

That’s the word from Caroline Fitzpatrick, Canada’s research chair on the impact of digital media on children. The work of her team at Quebec’s University of Sherbrooke is in JAMA Pediatrics.

The Canadian Tablet Study

Sherbrooke followed more than 200 preschoolers—checking in on each one at ages 3, 4 and 5.

The more time 3-year-olds spent on mobile devices, the more they were prone to anger and frustration one year later.  

4-year-old device users with anger management issues used screens more as they got older.

“We found that by the age of 5, children with worse emotion regulation skills were spending more time using tablets,” reports Fitzpatrick.

3-year-old device users were most vulnerable to emotional upheaval.   

How Digital Pacifiers Backfire  

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Baby’s Screen Time Linked to Mom’s Mental Health

New mom smiling at newborn reaching out to touch her face

The time a baby spends on screens can have a lot to do with the mother’s mental health.

Two new studies in JAMA Pediatrics show an association between babies’ screen use and delays in their development, especially in the areas of learning to speak and problem-solving.

The more screen exposure, the more delays.

In the studies—both from Japan—the states of mind of the mothers affected the time their babies spent using digital devices.

“Lower developmental scores were associated with increased screen time in children with maternal psychological distress,” the first study states.

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety are Widespread

Depression is a vexingly common disorder among pregnant and new moms. 1 in 8  has depression or anxiety severe enough to require medical care, according to the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

A mother may be diagnosed with postpartum depression or anxiety if her feelings of sadness, emptiness, fear, or worry last for weeks and interfere with the tasks of everyday life.

Turning to screens is how some depressed and anxious parents cope.

As one mom recalls from before she was treated for postpartum depression, “I sat [my infant son] in a bouncy seat in front of the TV to get things done and take my mind off my anxiety and show something was getting accomplished.”

Many Parents Still Unaware of Screen Time Guidelines

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Virtual Autism: A New Threat to Toddlers

Dr. Anne-Lise Ducanda manipulates toy ball

Pediatricians are alarmed that babies and toddlers who spend hours a day on phones, tablets, and around TVs can develop behavioral changes that are similar to the symptoms of autism.

The good news: the changes often disappear when the children stop screen exposure and greatly increase face-to-face contact with caregivers and playtime with non-electronic toys.

Two doctors in France are leading an awareness campaign, which they explain in this video.

“Screen viewing several hours a day prevents the brain from developing and generates behavior problems and relationship problems,” reports Dr. Anne-Lise Ducanda, speaking also for colleague Dr. Isabelle Terrasse.

“We decided to make this video to warn parents, professionals, and public bodies of the grave dangers of all screens for children between the ages of zero to four.”

The doctors had noticed more and more toddlers with unusual changes in behavior.

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